Towel rack



1930. w.- B. sTEPHENsoN 1757981 TOWEL RACK Filed March 22. .1929

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PAT

NT FFiQE TOWEL RACK Application filed March 22, 1929.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in towel racks or devices for supporting towels or similar articles from a vertical wall, a door, or similar supporting member.

Briefly described, the device includes a substantially rigid supporting frame, in which is carried a series of yieldably engaged spring elements between which the towels or other articles are inserted. A bracket member or members, adapted to be secured against the vertical supporting surface, engages one side bar of the supporting frame in such a manner that the rack mayl alternatively be supported Vin a horizontal position extending at substantial right angles to the vertical supporting wall, or may be suspended in a substantially vertical position adjacent the wall. K

The principal object of the invention is to provide an improved towel rack of the type briefly referred to hereinabove and disclosed more in detail in the specifications which follow.

Another object is to provide a towel rack comprising a plurality of spring elements adapted to simultaneously and separately support either one or a plurality of towels or similar articles.

Another object is to provide improved means for alternatively supporting the rack either in a horizontal or vertical position.

Another object is to provide an improved form ofraclr which may be horizontally supported from a vertical wall or other surface in either one of three different positions whereby the towels or other articles may be most advantageously engaged and disengaged from the rack. y

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description of one approved 'form of the device.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the rack, in use Jfor supporting towels against a vertical wall.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the rack on a larger scale.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section, taken substan- Serial No. 349,050.

tially on the line 3.-'3 of Fig. 2, showing the rack supported in its horizontal position.

F ig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the rack suspended in its vertical position.

rlhe rack comprises a substantially U- shaped metallic frame consisting of a base plate 1 and similar side arms 2 and 3 formed integral with the base plate 1 and extending substantially parallel with one another from opposite ends of the base plate. This frame is formed of fairly thick metal so that the frame is substantially rigid. Each side arm 2 and 3 is in the form of a horizontally extending bar of uniform cross section from end to end, and of greater height than thickness or reasons that will hereinafter be apparent. The base plate 1 is of greater height than the side arms 2`and 3 so as to provide an upwardly extending panel l provided with a plurality of holes or openings 5, through which screws or similar fastening means may be secured so that this base plate may be fastened against a vertical wall or other supporting surface. Ordinarily, the' rack will be supported by means of one or the other of the side arms 2 and 3, as hereinafter described.

Between the side arms 2 and 3 are confined a plurality of spring elements, between which the towels or other articles are clamped. In the present example, a series of seven of these spring elements is employed,the elements being designated as 6 to 12 inclusive. All of these `spring elements 6 to 12 are formed of spring metal plates of substantially the same height or vertical width as the side arms 2 and 3. The intermediate elements 7 to 11 inclusive are bent into the form of spring loops, having theirl rounded outer ends positioned at the open end of the U-shaped frame, and the inner ends 13 of each loop are bent toward one another and secured against the inner :tace of base plate 1 by spot welding, or in any other suitable manner. The end loops or elements 6 and 12 of the series each has a long leg similar to one-half of any one of the intermediate loops, with its inner end secured at 14 to the base plate 1 and a short outer leg 15 secured to the outer end portion of the side arms 3 and 2, respectively.

its an alternative construction the end loops 6 and 12 can be formed as integral extensions of the side arms 3 and 2, thus proif'iding additional stiffness in the frame.

it will be apparent that the horizontally extending legs 1e' of the several spring elements bear yieldably against one another, and the spring elements are confined in this yieldably en aged relationship by the sul stantially rien'l side arms 2 and 3. It will be apparent that outwardly flaring slots or openings l? are provided between the rounded outer ends of each pair of engaging spring loops, so that the towels or other articles 30 may be pushed inwardly between any pair of spring arms l@ and thus clamped yieldably within the rack.

A pair of similar bracket members 18 and 19 are secured to the ends of a horizontal spacing bar 20, so that they will be spaced apart a. distance substantially equal to the length of one of the side arms 2 and 3. The bracket members 18 and 19 are duplicates, and it will be apparent that a single bracket member could be used if made of sufcient width. Each bracket member is formed of a length of sheet metal bent to form a vertical downwardly extending rear wall 21 adapted to be secured against the vertical surface of the lined supporting member indicated at 22. The metal strip is bent outwardly and upwardly at 23 to form a. vertically extending wall 24. spaced from rear wall 21 so as to form a. vertical slot 25 therebetween of proper height and thickness to slidably receive one of the side arms 2 or 3 of the frame of the rack assembly. The upper end portion of wall 24 is bent horizontally outward at 2S and then upwardly and rearwardly at 27 to connect with a vertically extending wall 28 which is parallel to the upper portion of the rear wall 21. The vertical wall portions 21 and 28 are formed with mating oper is through which are inserted the screws o other fastening members 29 by means of which the brackets are secured to the supporting structure 22.

The rack assembly is mounted in the bracket assembly by passing one or the other of the side arms 2 or 3 of the rack frame downwardly between the wall members 21 and 28 of the bracket members 18 and 19 before the brackets are secured against the supporting wall 22. lVith the side arm 3 (for example) positioned within the slots 25. the rack will be supported in a substantially horizontal position projecting outwardly at ric-ht angles from the supportingT wall 22, as illustrated in Fi 3. By sliding the rack assembly upwardly so as to bring the side arm 3 out of the slots 25. the rack assembly may be swung downwardly and supported upon the horizontally extending arms 26 of the bracket members, as shown in Fig. Ll.

rlhe rack may be used in either its horizontal or vertical position for supporting the towels. Preferably, the rack will irst be placed in its horizontal position, as illustrated in Fig. 3, and then the towels (two of which are indicated at 30 in Fig. 1) are inserted between the several spring loops. The rack may then be moved into its vertical position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, so that the towels will lay back as closely as possible against the supporting wall 22 so as to economize room space. It will be apparent that the supporting side arm 3 can pivot about the horizontal supporting wall 26 of the bracket so that the rack assembly may tilt outwardly somewhat from the wall to accommodate the towels clamped within the rack member.

By placing either side arm 2 or 3 of the rac-k frame within the bracket members 18 and 19, the rack may be alternatively positioned for inserting the towels either from the right hand r left hand sides, as may be most convenient. As a third alternative, the bracket assembly need not be used at all, and the base plate 1 may be secured against the supporting wall 22 so that the spring arms will project forwardly from the wall. However, it will be apparent that when used in this latter manner, the advantage of folding the rack downwardly against the wall is sacrificed.

The entire assembly is formed of a few simple metal parts. which are easily formed and assembled. The entire structure will preferably be nickel plated or enameled to pre an attractive appearance.

,Thile the device is designed particularly for supporting towels, it will be apparent that it is not limited to this use, but may be employed for support-ing neck-ties, trousers, or other ariicles of apparel, or any articles that may be inserted between the several' spring loops.

I claim:

1. A rack comprising a substantially rigid frame and a plurality of yieldably engaged spring' elements mounted in the frame and adapted to support articles inserted between the spring elements, the frame comprising a side arm in the form of flat horizontally extending bar of greater height than thickness, and a bracket adapted to be secured to a vertically extending supporting surface, and formed with a vertical slotin which the side arm is slidably received to support the frame in a. horizontal position projecting at right angles from the supporting surface, the upp'; porti on of the slot being enlarged whereby the side arm can be turned to permit the frame to hang substantially vertically.

A rack comprising a. substantially rigid :trame and ay plurality of yieldablv engaged spring elements mounted in the frame and adapted to support articles inserted between the spring elements, the frame comprising a side arm in the form of a flat horizontally extending bar of greater height than thickness, and a. bracket adapted to be secured to a vertically extending supporting surface, the bracket comprising a piece of sheet metal bent to form a vertically downwardly extending rear wall, an upwardly extending vertical wall spaced from the rear wall to form a slot in which the side arm is slidably engaged to supportthe frame in a substantially horizontal position projecting at right angles from the supporting surface, an outwardly extending wall at the upper end of the slot and an upwardly and rearwardly extending wall engaged with and secured against the upper portion of the rear wall, whereby the side arm of the frame can be moved upwardly out of the slot and suspended from the outwardly extending wall of the bracket with the frame hanging in a substantially vertical position.

3. A. rack comprising a U-shaped frame consisting of a base plate and a pair of substantially parallel side arms extending from the ends of the base, a plurality of spring loops yieldingly engaged against one another and confined between the side arms, the inner ends of the loops being secured to and supported from the base plate and the outer rounded ends of the loops being positioned at the open end of the U-shaped frame, and a bracket adapted to be fixed against a vertically extending surface and formed with a vertical slotadapted to slidably receive one of the side arms of the frame and support the frame in a horizontal position, and also formed with a horizontal slot extending from the vertical slot whereby the side arm may be moved into the horizont-al slot to suspend the frame in a substantially vertical position.

A rack comprising a U-shaped frame consisting of a base plate and a pair of substantially parallel side arms extending from the ends of the base, a plurality of spring loops yieldingly engaged against one another and confined between the side arms, the inner ends of the loops being secured to and supported from the base plate and the outer rounded ends of the loops being positioned at the open end of the U-shaped frame, and a bracket adapted to be fixed against a vertically extending surface, the bracket comprising a piece of sheet metal bent to form a vertically downwardly extending rear wall, an upwardly extending vertical wall spaced from the rear wall to form a slot in which is slidably engaged one side arm of the frame, an outwardly extending horizontal wall at the upper end of the slot, and an upwardly and rearwardly extending wall engaged with and secured against the upper portion of the rear wall, whereby the side arm of the frame can be moved upwardly out of the slot and suspended from the outwardly extending horizontal wall with the frame in a substantially vertical position.

5. A rack comprising a substantially U- shaped frame consisting of a base-plate and a pair of similar substantially parallel side arms extending integrally from the ends of the base, a series of spring loops yieldingly engaged against one another and confined between the side arms, the loops at the two ends of the series being rsecured to the base-plate and the adjacentside arms, and the intermediate loops being secured at their inner ends to the base-plate and supported thereby, the outer rounded ends of the loops being positioned at the open end of the U-shaped frame, each side arm being in the form of a flat bar of greater height than thickness, and a bracket assembly consisting of a pair of similar bracket members mounted at the opposite ends of a spacing bar, each bracket member being formed of a piece of sheet metal bent to form a vertically downwardly extending rear wall, an upwardly extending vertical wall spaced from the rear wall to form a slot in which is slidably engaged one of the side arms of the rack frame, an outwardly extending horizontal wall at the upper end of the slot, and an upwardly and rearwardly extending wall engaged with and secured against the upper portion of the rear wall, whereby the side arm may be moved upwardly out of the slot and suspended from the horizontal wall of the bracket, and means for securing the upper port-ions of the bracket members against a supporting surface.

6. A rack comprising a substantially U- shaped frame consisting of a base-plate and a pair of similar substantially parallel side arms extending integrally from the ends of the base, a series of spring loops yieldingly engaged against one another and confined between the side arms, the loops at the two ends of the series being secured to the baseplate and the adjacent side arms, and the intermediate loops being secured at their inner ends to the base-plate and supported thereby, the outer rounded ends of the loops being positioned at the open end of the U- shaped frame, each side arm being in the form of a flat bar of greater height than thickness, and the base plate being of greater height than the side arms and loops to provide a panel, the panel being perforated to permit the passage therethrough of securin means whereby the base plate may be utilize to support the rack, a bracket assembly consisting of a pair of similar bracket members mounted at the opposite ends of a spacing bar, each bracket member being formed of a piece of sheet metal bent to form a vertically downwardly extending rear wall, an upwardly extending vertical wall spaced from the rear wall to form a slot in which is slidably engaged one of the side arms of the rack frame, an outwardly extending horizontal Wall :at the upper end of the slot, and an upwardly and rearwardly extending wall engaged with and secured lagainst the uppel` portion of the Vrear Wall, whereby the side arm 1 ary :be moved upwardly out of the Slot and suspended from 'the horizontal Wall of the b1acket,.and means for securing the upper portions of the bracket members against a supporting surface.

VILLIAM B. STEPHENSON. 

